The controversy surrounding the canceling of this year’s New York City Marathon just took one more turn into the bizarre. Apparently, Philadelphia’s mayor, Michael Nutter made a phone call to the New York Road Runners, offering to host the race in his city instead.

George Hirsch, the head of the NYRR, mentioned that Nutter contacted him and said that the city was ready if the runners could move south.

Hirsch said that Nutter “sounded very sincere.”

A spokesman for the mayor’s office, Mark McDonald, confirmed that his boss had contacted New York officials, but didn’t offer up any more details on the exchange.

On November 18, Philadelphia will be hosting its own marathon. Even though the race has been sold out, organizers say that New York runners can still get special bibs through charity spots. However these types of bibs require mandatory fundraising.

The New York City Marathon was to be held last weekend, but in an unprecedented move, officials cancelled the race due to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Sandy.